The Best of MAC

If you're a makeup fanatic, MAC is one of those brands that inevitably ends up in your collection. When you're after a particular shade and finish of lipstick or eyeshadow, it's easy to head to MAC since chances are, their wide range will have what you're looking for. Yes it's pricey, but it's kind of middle of the road, it's not drugstore, but it's not up there with Dior, Chanel, YSL, those kind of brands.

There are a lot of products from MAC in my collection (I think I'm up to 17 lipsticks, sob) but it's a brand I'm pretty ruthless with. If I don't like it, it goes.

THE HITS

Eyeshadows: Yes MAC eyeshadows are really expensive, but my word they are beautiful. Buttery soft, incredibly pigmented and they last really well on your lids. I did a full post on my palettes last week, you can read that here.

Paint Pots: I think I've rambled about these a fair bit. Super creamy but they dry on your lids to create a perfect shadow base, or even a stand alone wash of colour on the lids. I use Painterly on a daily basis as a shadow base, to intensify the colour of my shadows and make them last longer, but I also use Rubenesque and Constructivist as cream shadows on there own. I am a huge fan of these, definitely my favourite cream shadows. 

Pearlmatte Face Powder: A product that tends to be released only as part of a limited edition collection, I picked one up from the Archie's Girls one, the Pearlmatte face powder is kind of multipurpose. I use this as a blush, but I also sometimes use it as a setting powder, just by avoiding the pink bits. I love how natural this looks.

Blush: Surprisingly, I only have one MAC blush (not for lack of trying, more because I can never make a decision). These are super super pigmented, you only need the tiniest amount of product to create a pop of cheek colour. 

Mineralize Skinfinish: I love how multipurpose these are. I used to use Soft and Gentle as a highlight and Light as a setting powder, but I now use Lightscapade for both. Very finely milled powders that don't look cakey.

Studio Finish Concealer: My favourite high coverage blemish concealer. Stays put all day and covers a multitude of sins.

Mineralize Concealer: Best friend of under-eye circles. Medium coverage concealer but slightly brightening, great for disguising late nights.

Lipsticks: Like I said I think I'm up to about 17 of these now, I did a post a couple of months back where I went through my collection and talked about all the finishes, but the gist is great colours, great pigmentation and great lasting power.

Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint: These are quite a recent addition to MAC's repetoire, kinda reminiscent of the YSL Glossy Stains, or L'Oreal Glamshine Splash Stains, it's glossy to apply but leaves a stain of colour on your lips. I love this for a low fuss lip colour. 

Dazzleglass: You all know I don't love lipgloss, and this one isn't my favourite, but it's a beautiful colour and leaves a lovely iridescent sheen to your lips. Just wish it was less sticky!

THE MISSES

Eyebrow Pencil: I picked this up in duty free on my way to Italy when I forgot to pack any eyebrow products. Clever. Anyway, a member of staff on the counter 'colour matched' me, and maybe it was the lighting, the fact it was 4am, or maybe she was colourblind, but this really isn't the right colour for me, it just makes my brows look ginger. Colour issues aside, I don't really rate this, the formula just doesn't stick and by midday it's almost completely gone. I would be tempted to grab another one in a different colour, just for quick fixes, but not sure about this...

Foundations: I'm grouping these together because I've tried four MAC foundations and every single one breaks me out like nobody's business. I don't know what ingredients are in this but they just clog my pores up and cause massive breakouts. However, I do still use Studio Sculpt, I mix it into other foundations to either increase coverage or lighten the colour. If I use a heavy primer and mix it fifty fifty with another foundation it doesn't break me out!

What are your favourite products from MAC? What should I try next?

Read more about my MAC Eyeshadow palettes here.

Read more about my MAC Lipstick collection here.